Respiratory Specialist

Are you looking to make a difference by improving the health of our patients?  Here you will find an innovative culture that is patient-focused and dedicated to making a difference.  We are committed to helping the population we serve, and our communities, achieve optimum health and enjoy the best quality of life possible. 

Under general supervision by the Supervisor, Manager, and Director of Respiratory Care Services and working closely with the Medical Director of Respiratory Care Services, the Respiratory Specialist is responsible for assisting in the development, implementation, and administration of all policies and procedures. The Respiratory Care Specialist performs all roles and responsibilities of a Respiratory Therapist. The Respiratory Care Specialist is competent to provide services to patients in the neonatal, pediatric, and adult patient populations. The Respiratory Care Specialist assesses, plans, delivers, coordinates, integrates, and evaluates respiratory care related to patient needs at the expert level. The Respiratory Care Specialist contributes to the support of patients through interdisciplinary teamwork, assures that the care provided is consistent with applicable standards, regulations, statutes, and state and federal law, and provides leadership to department staff, serving as a resource and mentor. The Respiratory Care Specialist assists the Respiratory Supervisor, Manager, and Director with elements of planning, organizing, controlling, climate setting, leadership, and operational duties. The Respiratory Care Specialist will provide clinical training regarding respiratory care to Nursing staff and Providers. The respiratory specialist shall be required to be a member of a committee and lead and take ownership of a PI project. In addition, participates in ongoing departmental research and hospital-sponsored educational activities. Objectives also include assuring a total quality experience for all patients requiring respiratory care.

•  To insure continued effectiveness and improvements in the Respiratory Care Unit. Reporting to, and assisting, Supervisor, Manager and Director of Respiratory Care Services
  • Shares actively in the routine work of the day, performs all present-day respiratory modalities according to accepted standards of practice, performs unusual or difficult procedures where special skills or knowledge are required as measured by peer review and leadership observation
  • Develops effective interdepartmental working relationships in order that all systems and processes function smoothly with respect to patients and internal customers. (Input from peers in this respect will be part of the performance evaluation process.)
  • Assists and maintains active participation in staff development and training. Measured by signature of clinical proficiencies and leadership review
  • Facilitates development and training of shared practices between provider/nursing/ancillary staff as measured by review of extra departmental peer review
  • Maintains adaptability in staffing to maximize both customer services (intra-departmental and interdepartmental) as well as continuity of care for patients
  • Fosters positive learning environment for students and provides opportunities for hands on practice of respiratory therapy. (Measured by student assessments and leadership review)
  • Therapy recommendations for patient care. (Measured by leadership reviews and assessment.)
  • Provides information and educational guidance to staff regarding “new” therapeutic modalities and medications (measured by leadership review)
  • Assists supervisor, manager and director in training of new employees and continuing education of current employees (measured by peer review and management observation)
  • Acts as a resource for the Respiratory Care Department in absence of supervisor, manager and director
  • Assists in full utilization of staff working time, based on individual staff capabilities, assigns employees to work areas, arranges and/or provides emergency coverage (measured by leadership input)
• To insure effectiveness and improvement in the Respiratory Care Unit operations
  • Keeps well informed in methods of respiratory therapy and its clinical applications, relevant literature, attends conferences and introduces improved methods as appropriate
  • Shares in all other job duties of a Respiratory Therapist
• To assist the provider in the restoration of normal respiratory function in acute and critically ill patients
  • Sets up, monitors and maintains continuous mechanical ventilation equipment for the treatment of patients experiencing acute, chronic or impending respiratory failure, as determined by staff feedback and supervisor observation
  • Applies intensive bedside respiratory therapy techniques, as determined by customer feedback and supervisor observation
  • Documents the effectiveness of all therapies administered in the medical record 100% of the time, with no more than 1 exception per month
  • Assists the provider in specialized diagnostic procedures, as determined by provider feedback and supervisor observation
  • Performs routine and emergency arterial blood gas punctures for the evaluation of patient’s acid/base status
  • Reports daily to the provider in charge of critically ill patients
• To assist the provider in accurately assessing and identifying acute changes in the cardiopulmonary status of critically ill patients
  • Successfully completes the hospital based Critical Care certification program (required at BMC, preferred at other facilities)
  • Assists the provider during critical care invasive and non-invasive procedures as measured by feedback and leadership observation
  • Assembles, maintains and monitors hemodynamic monitoring plumbing systems per hospital policies as measured by feedback and leadership observations. (Required at BMC and preferred at other facilities)
  • Documents accurate data on the EMR flowsheet
  • Obtains venous and arterial blood gas samples as provider ordered, utilizing aseptic techniques 100% of the time as measured by peer feedback and leadership observation
  • Performs arterial catheter insertions, as provider ordered, per department policy. (required at BMC and preferred at other facilities)
  • Demonstrates and teaches house staff officers, respiratory students, and nursing staff personnel in the proper methods of respiratory care techniques measured by documentation of in-service log sheet, peer review and leadership observation
  • Reports promptly, any problems associated with patients cardiopulmonary monitoring systems to the provider in charge
• To ensure that respiratory therapy is appropriately ordered throughout the hospital by participating in the respiratory care protocol evaluation system
  • Evaluates patients for appropriate forms of respiratory care by hospital protocol
  • Reviews patient assessment and medical history pertinent to protocol evaluation, classify the need for respiratory care for individual patients, determined by evaluation being accepted being accepted by ordering provider
  • Presents patient history and suggested therapeutic programs to provider, provides documentation of evaluations
• Educate the patients, medical staff, respiratory, nursing, and related health care students in current respiratory care procedures and theories
  • Orient, in-service, and offer references to current scientific literature in respiratory care to be determined by in-service log sheets, new employee orientation forms, submission of literature as observed by leadership
  • Participates in the monthly in-service, as a presenter annually, and as an active participant in monthly department meetings
  • Assists leadership in equipment ordering
  • Assists leadership with yearly staff proficiencies and in-services
• Actively participates in the hospitals Performance Improvement program for Respiratory Care Services
  • Assess medical records daily for proper delivery and documentation for respiratory therapy procedures
  • Performs concurrent audits during patient hospitalization while receiving respiratory therapy
  • Works in consort with the Respiratory Supervisor, Manager and Director by reporting PI matters
• Laboratory testing is performed following established policies and procedures only after training is completed
  • Performs and documents testing and quality control in accordance with established laboratory policies and procedures, as observed by leadership and POC staff
  • Maintains and documents testing reagents/supplies and equipment according to established laboratory procedures, as observed by leadership and POC staff
• Required responsibilities for all Respiratory Care Service Providers Performs similar or related duties as requested or directed
  • Maintains technical competence within areas of responsibility by completing annual competency requirements as defined by departmental policy and documented within the department
  • Understands the existing and potential hazard in the work area in such a way as to prevent injury/illness by following hospital and safety policies and procedures as indicated by departmental feedback and/or observed by leadership
  • Corrects and/or reports any safety hazard or malfunctioning of equipment to leadership/charge person within their work shift as indicated by departmental feedback and/or observed by leadership
  • Follows hospital and departmental policies and procedures related to compliance to assure current Medicare regulations are upheld as indicated by departmental feedback and/or observed by leadership
  • Attends at least 8 of 12 department meetings. Review minutes of missed meetings and departmental communication meetings
  • Utilizes equipment and supplies efficiently and prudently to maximize cost effectiveness of procedures, conserve resources and minimize waste measures by departmental feedback and/or observed by leadership
  • Monitors, receives, stores, supply levels daily and requests supplies through leadership, as to not overstock or exhaust supplies waste measures by departmental feedback and/or observed by leadership
  • Accurately charge all patients for services rendered daily through EMR system. Cleans work areas and/or equipment each shift per established standards and procedures
  • Lead and take ownership of a PI project
  • Travel to other facilities may be required for staffing and training purposes
  • Assist leadership with network goals and responsibilities
  • Be an active member of at least one committee
• Performs similar or related duties as requested or directed
  • Performs other duties as requested and observed by Respiratory supervisor, manager or director
• Transition of care coordination from hospital to home. DME equipment, home care services, oxygen, insurance regulation compliance to assure patient coverage
• Ability to collaborate with Intensivists, Pulmonologists, Cardiac Surgeons, General Surgeons and Neurosurgeons
• Act as a Clinical Adjunct Instructor for students from multiple Respiratory Care College programs 
   

Education/Qualifications:

• 2 Year/Associate Degree in Respiratory Care, required or... 
• Graduate of a COARC accredited school of Respiratory Care as required by NYS to obtain a NYS License, required
• 4 Year/Bachelor Degree in Respiratory Care, preferred

Experience:

• 5 years clinical experience as a Respiratory Therapist/Technician, required
  • Broad knowledge of respiratory care procedures, respiratory equipment, patient evaluation using protocol systems, and hemodynamic monitoring, required

Licensure/Certificates:

• NYSRTT (Current NYS license as a Respiratory Therapist), required
• RTT (NBRC certification), required
• BLS - Basic Life Support (required within 6 months from date of hire), required
• ACLS - Advanced Cardiac Life Support (required within 6 months from date of hire), required
• PALS - Pediatric Advanced Life Support preferred (required within 6 months of date of hire), required
• NRP - Neonatal Life Support, preferred

Skills:

• Computer Skills
• Communication
• Interacting with People
• Reading/Writing/Comprehension

Physical Requirements:

• Medium Work - Exerting up to 50 lbs. for force occasionally, and/or up to 20 lbs. of force frequently, and/or up to 10 lbs. of force constantly to move objects
• Occasional crouching, kneeling, lifting, pulling, pushing, repetitive motion, stooping
• Frequent typing/clerical/dexterity, grasping, hearing, reaching, seeing/monitor/computer use, standing, talking, visual acuity (color, depth, perception, walking
• Constant fit testing

Hazards:

• Occasional bodily fluids/bloodborne exposure

Travel:

• Occasional Travel - The job may require travel from time-to-time, but not on a regular basis

Bassett Healthcare Network’s commitment to our employees includes benefit programs carefully designed with the needs and values of all our employees in mind. Many of the benefits we offer are paid fully or in large part by Bassett. Our generous benefits offerings include:  

• Paid time off, including company holidays, vacation, and sick time
• Medical, dental and vision insurance
• Life insurance and disability protection
• Retirement benefits including an employer match 
• And more!

Specific benefit offerings may vary by location and/or position.